Teen review: Star Trek’ a bold step that prospers

Monday

May 25, 2009 at 12:01 AMMay 25, 2009 at 3:16 AM

Sci-fi. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the film “Star Trek.” Its ongoing mission: to remake a strange, old series. To seek out new fans and new plot lines. To boldly go where no film has gone before. (Cue dramatic theme music.)

Danny Guttas

Sci-fi. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the film “Star Trek.” Its ongoing mission: to remake a strange, old series. To seek out new fans and new plot lines. To boldly go where no film has gone before. (Cue dramatic theme music.)

With the release of the new “Star Trek” film by J.J. Abrams (co-creator of television’s “Lost”), comes a reunion for some and a new adventure for others.

“Star Trek” offers Trekkers another chance to see James T. Kirk in the famous captain’s chair, yet still has that certain charm that will attract a new fan base — and hopefully spark a new series of Trek-related entertainment.

In the film’s opening, we see the not-too-peaceful origins of Kirk (Chris Pine). Throughout his first 20 or so years, Kirk is a troubled youth, to put it lightly. After much persuasion, he finally decides to enlist in Starfleet, following in the footsteps of his father (Chris Hemsworth). At the Starfleet Academy, Kirk meets the people who will become his lifelong companions: Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Sulu (John Cho), Uhura (Zoe Saldana) and Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Karl Urban).

“But, hey,” you may be thinking. “What about Mr. Spock? You know … the pointy eared guy?”
Well, it turns out Kirk and Spock (Zachary Quinto) weren’t always buddies. In fact, they spend much of the film fighting.

When a disgruntled Romulan captain named Nero (Eric Bana) threatens the safety of Starfleet and its vast number of planet systems, it’s up to the crew of the Starship Enterprise to stop him.
If it sounds cliche or familiar, that’s only because it is. That’s what makes this experience so enjoyable — the film’s ability to take the old and remold it into something new.

Things start to heat up with the revealing of Leonard Nimoy, as an older Spock. Seeing Nimoy don the pointed ears once more is sure to bring a nostalgic tug at the heartstrings of any Trek fan.

The characters, though, are where the movie really shines. Each actor brought back the mannerisms, dialect and presence of the old TV series’ crew. Viewers feel as though they are channeling the characters themselves. It doesn’t feel like these are new actors; it feels as though they are indeed younger versions of the same characters of the original show.

However, this is not the only acting wonder in the film. The actors also gave new flair to the characters, adding new nuances and subtleties to their performances. This way, they can be enjoyable for the old and new, much like the entire movie itself.

“Star Trek” is sure to delight, entertain and inspire. This will allow future generations not only to appreciate the old, but look to the new. They will turn their heads to the stars. Let the heavens beam them up.